Seasonal allergies; how to prevent & fight it

It’s that time of year that we both love and hate. Spring is here with it’s beautiful blooming flowers, bright clear skies. We also have the pollen, making eyes, noses, and throats run and itch. People are struggling with sinus and allergy issues and looking for ways to deal with these seasonal allergies. We received some great tips from Dr. Josh Sandell to share with you, and I am adding some of our favorite ways to deal as well.

How to Combat Seasonal Allergies

The weather is finally warming up and when you step outdoors, the stronger rays of the sun feel great as they hit your skin. Spring weather makes most people long to spend more time outside. This is especially true for active individuals who can’t wait to ditch the treadmill for a run through the park or skip a class at the gym to engage in an outdoor activity.

Along with the improving weather conditions at this time of year, however, is the increasing number of allergens that keep many of us sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing our eyes. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, about 40 million people in the United States reportedly have some type of allergy, with seasonal allergens topping the list of the most common allergy triggers. While allergies are no fun, they shouldn’t confine you to a life spent indoors.

Dr. Josh Sandell of Orthology, a world-class solution for rapid recovery from physical injuries and chronic pain, has put together some tips on how to make your way through allergy season as effectively as possible so your seasonal sniffles don’t slow you down or keep you from enjoying the great outdoors.

Pollen Counts

Pollen counts vary from day to day and even throughout the day, so it’s best to head outdoors when counts are at their lowest, whenever possible. Some claim that pollen counts are highest during the morning hours, while others say they peak more around midday, but later in the afternoon or evening is probably the best time to head out for a run or other physical activity if you’re susceptible to pollen.

On days you need to be out for an event, or because you have to cut the grass, try some natural remedies like alfalfa, which has kept us from having to take OTC allergy medication for years now.

Check the Weather

Weather can also have an impact. Dry, warm and windy days bring with them higher pollen counts than cool, damp days. There are plenty of websites and apps that can provide you with information about pollen counts so you can monitor the best times to head outdoors or when to consider staying inside.

Those rainy spring days are great for breathing easier as the pollen washes away.

Spring Cleaning

As we mentioned in a previous post, spring cleaning is not only cathartic, but it can actually help relieve your suffering from allergies as windows, blinds, and items in old storage could be harboring dust and mold which can cause your allergies to act up. Doing a thorough spring cleaning by vacuuming carpet and washing down surfaces can get rid of potential irritants and give you a great workout in the process!

We feel strongly about using non-toxic cleaners while doing this as so many people have allergies to the cleaning products they are using. There is nothing worse than cleaning your home to get rid of the allergens, only to have your toxic cleaners cause a reaction. We trust Shaklee Get Clean products, which were featured on Oprah. You can get the Shaklee Get Clean kit for just $99 and it can replace all your cleaners with non-toxic options that are safe for you and safe for the environment. The Get Clean kit is mostly concentrated products, so you also save money by using it. One bottle of Basic H2 can replace hundreds of bottles of other glass cleaners. It is also a degreaser, carpet cleaner, and all purpose cleaner. Email me for 0ver 100 uses for the Shaklee Basic H2.

Thanks for Dr. Sandell for sharing these tips. Let us know if this helps you deal with your seasonal allergies better.